Just How Rare Are They? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

DCN M5 · 8th August 2006, 16:38

Can someone give me any idea of just how rare 17 x 9 staggered turbines are?

I know that they were NOT offered in North American but wondered the following about the European models:

1. what years they were offered as an option;
2. how much the option cost at the time; and
3. how many were actually sold with the option.

Thanks in advance,

DCN

91 M5
88 911

illjah · 8th August 2006, 16:49

I believe they were offered as an option from 89-91 after which they were replaced with the throwing stars which were offered up to 1994 I believe (but am prepared to be corrected on this!!).

I think the number of cars originally fitted with the 9J turbines was very low, but seemed to be a more common option with the star covers. Also the Nurburgring package was introduced in 92 that offered the 9J rears along with a 19mm ARB and servo steering.

The turbine covers will fit on the throwing star variants, but I believe some of the early alloys behind the turbines are slightly different, so the stars can not be retrofitted to these early wheels.

The throwing stars appear on eBay fairly regularly in a staggered set from Germany or the UK, but can't say I've seen a set of turbines ever - not even 8J all round (apart from on the occasional e34 at the 'Ring trip and one of our UK meets).

So i reckon original staggered turbines are VERY rare, but if you can get a set of turbine covers you can fit them to the throwing star staggered set, and make a few quid on selling the star covers should you wish.

DCN M5 · 8th August 2006, 16:55

I just landed myself a set of fully refinished staggered Turbines off Cheese Bay (located in the UK).

Was anyone out there bidding against me?

I think it will be one of the few sets of staggered Turbines in North America.

They look MINT. Can't wait. Pictures to follow...

DCN

91 M5
88 911

illjah · 8th August 2006, 17:16

lucky find - i can't say i've ever seen a set for sale before! Well done!!
Can you link to the auction?

Stevie · 8th August 2006, 17:17

I just got a set of staggered turbines as well. Don't know what to do with them yet but couldn't let them pass.

BTW, living in the US '90-'92 saw me regularly applying Zymol to a US e34 M5, and it had staggered Turbines. And boy did I hate cleaning them! Espcially after the monthly SCCA autocross!

DCN M5 · 8th August 2006, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by illjah

lucky find - i can't say i've ever seen a set for sale before! Well done!!
Can you link to the auction?

I just PM'd you.

DCN

91 M5
88 911

illjah · 8th August 2006, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCN M5

I just PM'd you.

DCN

91 M5
88 911

Cheers!!

I did actually see those a little while back - shame there are 3 turbines for one side, and only one for the other, make sure you get the right ones on the fronts. They do look in lovely condition, I used to hate the turbines, but now I really like them esp in the staggered, particularly as they are so rare. And they look much better in real life than in pics.

DCN M5 · 8th August 2006, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by illjah

Cheers!!

I did actually see those a little while back - shame there are 3 turbines for one side, and only one for the other, make sure you get the right ones on the fronts. They do look in lovely condition, I used to hate the turbines, but now I really like them esp in the staggered, particularly as they are so rare. And they look much better in real life than in pics.

I'm already running turbines. I am probably only going to use the 2 rears because my current fronts are in great shape. I believe it is one of the fronts that has the wrong turbine on it so it is not going to make a difference to me.

DCN

91 M5
88 911

IvanDias · 8th August 2006, 18:41

The figures for builds seem to vary a little between the excellent sites at http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=12 and http://www.bmwe34m5.com/node/171 but it would appear that the Throwing Stars were introduced around late Summer 1992.

If the build numbers for 3.6 cars were 331, 2339, 3022 and 2033 for the years 1988/89/90/91 it would appear there are around 7700 cars with Turbines, but I've never seen a figure for the number with the optional 9.0"J rears fitted.

If I had to take a guess from all the cars I've ever heard of, I'd say at least 40% had the bigger wheels. That means maybe 3000 cars on staggered Turbines, minus those who have wrecked the cars, changed wheels, changed to 'Stars or removed the covers altogether.

As you may know, I run no covers at the 9" rear and all four wheels have been redone in black. I run covers up front, but without the centre section, which I love to bits; functional and industrial looking and at time of writing, unique.

I still have the original rear covers in silver, unrefurbished.
I have collected one front wheel from ebay, £35 (with a brand new 245/40/17, result!), two rear un-refurbished 9.0"J rears from Donati two years ago, £300 then, and my party-piece, a brand new never mounted, no tyre, mint complete 9" rear wheel, with covers, for £56 on ebay!

Regards

Ivan

Yorldi · 8th August 2006, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanDias

As you may know, I run no covers at the 9" rear and all four wheels have been redone in black. I run covers up front, but without the centre section, which I love to bits; functional and industrial looking and at time of writing, unique.

Nice car mate!! Looks brilliant